All our walks are led by members of the group. Anyone who is a paid-up member of the Ramblers and who has been on a few walks with us can lead a walk. You don't need any special qualifications, just find a good walk that you would like to share with other people.
Below is a step by step guide on how to get your walk published onto the website using the Ramblers Walks Manager system.
If you are not already set up as a walk leader, send an email to info@gybo.org.uk with your name, Ramblers membership number, and the email address that you have registered with Ramblers, and ask to be registered as a walk leader. We'll then start the ball rolling, and in a couple of weeks you'll get an email from Ramblers with details of how to log in to your account on the website.
You will then be able to access the Training Library, and complete three short e-learning modules that make up the Mandatory Walk Leader Training. We also suggest that you familiarise yourself with the Walk Leader Handbook and Checklist, which you can find on the Ramblers website at https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/resources-walk-leaders.
Research premade routes or you can make one up yourself using tools such as OS Maps or others. You can use guide books, websites or you could ask other members. A walk which offers good views always goes down well with the group. Use Google Street View to get an idea of the surrounding area.
If you're looking for ideas of where to walk, we've put together a map showing all the places we've walked as a group since 2010 and what facilities each of those locations has.
GYBO Walks Map
🔴 Lots of walks / 🟠 Some walks / 🟡 One or two walks Click on a spot (or use the left menu if you're on a large screen) and you can see how many walks we've had there, when the last walk there was, and if it's got... 🅿️ a car park (free, honesty box or pay) 🚻 public toilets 🍺 a pub or café 🚌 a bus or train that people could use to get there
Think about things such as:
Once you've decided on the route you'd like to lead, go recce it. It's a good idea to recce the walk with someone who ideally will be coming on the actual walk. Ask in our Facebook group, message the committee through Facebook or ask someone when on one of our walks.
Go to https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/resources-walk-leaders and read the Walk Leaders Checklist (most of our walks will come under "Leisurely/Moderate") – this will give you points to look out for when on the recce. You don't need to complete a written risk assessment, but you should bear in mind any risk factors that could be relevant to your walk and how you will manage them. If you are unsure, please talk to a member of the committee or another experienced leader.
At the end of your recce, it's worth looking at a local pub or cafe to see what is available for a large group.
Make a note on things such as:
Make sure to take some photos which can be used to advertise your walk. (landscape photos usually work better)
Decide on a date for your walk, making sure it's available. Where possible, submit your walk with at least 4 weeks notice. Check our Upcoming Walks and Socials. Also make sure the date of your walk doesn't clash with other walking groups starting their walk from the same place if there is limited parking.
Once you have access to the Walks Manager, you can submit your walk. You have the option of saving it as a draft so you don't need to complete it all in one go. You may find it easier to complete the form on a laptop/computer rather than a mobile phone.
To add a walk, press the Add a Walk button and follow the instructions. For more information see the Ramblers Walks Manager Guidance.
You can add up to 5 photos to your walk submission without the need to compress them first. At the time of writing, there is a bug with the system, if you submit too many photos at once the webpage will display a 504 error. You can workaround this issue by uploading one photo then pressing the save button. Go back to the page and repeat. Ramblers are working on this and it should be fixed soon.
If you are happy with your walk submission, submit it for approval. The Walks Secretary will review your submission and approve it providing there are no changes required. We will create a Facebook event for your walk, but this might not be until a few days later.
You can go back and make amendments if you need to. If you make any amendments after your walk is approved, it will need approving again.
If you want to display your name and contact details on the walk description, you will need to change your privacy settings. To adjust these settings, select the profile icon then Contact preferences to open the Your contact information page. Here you can see your display name, contact number and email address. Choose which to display by selecting the relevant checkbox under Permission.
It can be helpful to allow members to contact you by email (your email address isn't displayed, it uses a contact form) and to give your phone number, especially if anyone needs to get in touch with you on the day of the walk.
You've recced your walk, considered the points raised on the risk assessment, submitted it, and now the day has arrived.
Before setting off, round everyone up, introduce yourself and the walk. A good tip is to go round in a circle, have everyone say their name and ask members of the committee and first timers to raise their hands.
Try to walk at a pace that everyone can keep up with comfortably. It's very common for new leaders to set off too quickly! If you have a large group, you may want to ask your recce buddy or an experienced member to be backmarker. This can help you to make sure you are keeping the group together and avoid leaving anyone behind.
Well done! You've got everyone safely round your walk. Now it's time to head to a pub or a café and treat yourself to something nice as a reward.